AHL Rockford IceHogs

Two Victories Keep Hogs in Playoff Race

Published on April 2, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


Shootouts have become a regular occurance for the Rockford IceHogs as all three games in Week 26 needed extra hockey to determine a winner. Two victories and five points now have the Hogs two points outside of the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. On Friday, it looked like Rockford wouldn't come away with any points as they trailed Peoria 3-2 late in the game. But Brian Fahey tied it up with 4.1 seconds left and the Hogs scored three times in the shootout to take the 4-3 win. Against San Antonio on Saturday, Rockford held a 3-2 lead before Jon Matsumoto notched the tying goal halfway through the third. The Rampage then tallied twice in the shootout to earn a 4-3 victory. Rockford traveled to Milwaukee on Sunday for a contest that saw the IceHogs earn a season-high 80 penalty minutes, 72 of which game during a bench-clearing brawl. The Hogs went on to muster a 2-1 shootout victory with goals from Terry Broadhu rst and Brandon Pirri in the extra session.

Week 26 Results

Friday, March 30: Peoria 3 vs. Rockford 4 SO

Saturday, March 31: San Antonio 4 vs. Rockford 3 SO

Sunday, April 1:"ˆRockford 2 at Milwaukee 1 SO

Week 27 Schedule

Friday, April 6 at Lake Erie, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 7 at Lake Erie, 6:30 p.m.

Bacon Bits:

Rockford is riding a six-game point streak (5-0-0-1) dating back to 3/24/12, picking up 11 out of a possible 12 standings points

The IceHogs have played four straight shootouts for the first time since 2007 when the team played four in row from 11/30/07 to 12/7/07

The IceHogs were whistled for a season-high 80 penalty minutes and the Hogs and Milwaukee Admirals combined for a team single-game high 166 PIMs on Sunday

142 of those 166 PIMs were called during a bench-clearing brawl at the 10:08 mark of the second period, including 72 on the IceHogs

Rockford has an AHL-high 12 game misconducts this season, four more than the next closest team (Hershey)

Alexander Salak replaced Carter Hutton in the game on Sunday and picked up his first win since 2/10/11

Hutton was one of five IceHogs kicked out of the game, including Rob Flick, Ryan Stanton, Shawn Lalonde and head coach Ted Dent

Rostislav Olesz had 4g-1a-5pts over the weekend and left Sunday's game in the first period with a lower body injury and did not return

Rockford finished Sunday's game with 14 players on the bench

Over Rockford's last 18 games dating back to 2/24/12, the team is 13-3-0-2 (.777)

Since Rockford's game on 1/13/12, the team has reduced their overall goals against average from 3.76 to 3.01

Since returning from injury on 3/23/12, Kyle Beach has 2g-2a-4pts in six games

Hot Hog: Week 25:

Rostislav Olesz, Right Wing

Forward Rostislav Olesz helped lead Rockford to five of six points during Week 26, keeping the team in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. On Friday night, Olesz tallied a pair of goals and added an assist as Rockford topped Peoria 4-3 in the shootout. Olesz followed that up with two markers on Saturday against San Antonio as Rockford gained a point in a 4-3 shootout loss against the Rampage.

Upcoming Games:

Friday, April 6 at Lake Erie Monsters. The puck drops at 6:30 p.m. Rockford travels to Lake Erie for back-to-back contests against the Monsters. Friday's game is the third of four matchups between the two teams this season and first in Lake Erie. The IceHogs close out their 2011-12 road schedule this weekend as they battle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Saturday, April 7 at Lake Erie Monsters. Game time is 6:30 p.m. Saturday's contest is the final meeting between the Hogs and Monsters this season. Rockford also wraps up their 2011-12 road schedule against Lake Erie as they will play their final three regular season games at the BMO Harris Bank Center.

Bud Light Hog Talk is Back Tonight:

Bud Light Hog Talk makes its weekly appearance at Granite City Food and Brewery tonight as Stephen Nelson hosts IceHogs assistant coach Ben Simon, forward Kyle Beach and rookie forward Mark McNeill. Granite City is located at 7140 Harrison Ave. next to CherryVale Mall. Fans can join Mike Peck or Stephen Nelson from 6-7 p.m. most Mondays as they chat with IceHogs skaters and coaches. Stop by to take advantage of food and Bud Light specials. If you can't make it to Granite City, tune into 100.5 NTA FM or 1330 AM WNTA.

The IceHogs Broadcasting Network:

Rockford IceHogs fans can catch all of the IceHogs regular and post-season games on the Hogs' flagship radio station, Rockford's Voice 100.5 NTA FM and 1330 AM WNTA, and 30 regular season games on ESPN Radio 1380 AM WTJK. Fans can also watch and listen to the Hogs on the World Wide Web with AHL Live! Visit the IceHogs website (icehogs.com) and click on the "click here to watch the AHL Live" icon, and for just $7 you can catch all of the IceHogs action on your computer. Also, fans with Comcast Cable television in Rockford can tune in to Channel 57 for all the IceHogs hockey action at the BMO"ˆHarris Bank Center this season. All Saturday home games will also be televised on My Network TV digital subchannel 17.2 along with Comcast and Charter Cable channel 16. The broadcast begins with the U.S. Cellular Pregame Show 30 minutes before the puck drops. Make sure to give your opinion during the Comcast Post-Game Call-In Show following each game at (815) 874-8255.

Tickets Now On Sale!

IceHogs individual game tickets are now on sale! Call (815) 968-5222 to reserve your seats for any IceHogs regular season game during the 2011-12 season. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the BMO"ˆHarris Bank Center Box Office in downtown Rockford or on the Web at www.theBMOHarrisBankCenter.com. Tickets start at just $7.

llinois Lottery Cup Series Standings

Teams Record Points

Peoria 12-7-1-0 25

Rockford 11-12-1-0 23

Chicago 10-10-1-0 21

Rockford vs. Peoria 5-6-1-0

Rockford vs. Chicago 6-6-0-0

Upcoming Illinois Lottery Cup Games:

None

BEACH AND MCNEILL ON BUD LIGHT HOG TALK TONIGHT

Rockford, Ill.- Bud Light Hog Talk returns to Granite City Food and Brewery in Rockford tonight. The show runs from 6-7 p.m. and Granite City is located at 7140 Harrison Ave. next to CherryVale Mall.

Tonight's show features IceHogs assistant coach Ben Simon, along with forwards Kyle Beach and Mark McNeill as the guests. Stephen Nelson will host the show and he'll recap last week's action, preview the week ahead and chat some non-things hockey with his guests.

If you can't make it to the show, tune into 100.5 NTA FM or listen on the Web through wnta.fm or on Comcast Cable Channel-57.

Fans can take advantage of food and Bud Light specials at Granite City and can register to win some great prizes courtesy of the IceHogs, including tickets to upcoming IceHogs games.

For a complete list of Bud Light Hog Talk dates at Granite City Food and Brewery, visit icehogs.com.

Check out the Rockford IceHogs Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central